Why do duck billed platypus have webbed feet?

Answer 1

Over the years, animal kind has evolved. First, organisms started as a mere mass of cells in a body of water. There were no crocodiles, humans, fish, or any other type of animal thriving on Earth. Over time, though, certain organisms began to form. The water organisms formed the very first, because the masses of cells originally started in water. Examples of these are paramecium and microscopic protists. Centuries and centuries could go by until another living species came to be. As the cell masses began to grow and expand, more complicated organisms began to come; such as different kinds of fish, sharks, and whales. Soon, the cells started to adapt to life on land. Organisms could now leave the water for certain periods of time, like frogs, ducks, and crocodiles. More and more centuries and decades would pass. But eventually, animals' cells were able to adapt to full life on land, no water needed to stay moist. Of course, things still needed to drink water, though; it's the essential nutrient for life. Anyway, at one point in time, animals that were adjusting to life on land probably did have webbed feet. Humans, on the other hand, are way too far down the line to have them. Humans are the most evolved organism on Earth. Dogs, bears, birds, cats, giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, gorillas, and the list could go on forever. All of these organisms are between the development of ducks and humans; therefore, it would be impossible for humans to have webbed feet. If humans formed directly before or after ducks or anywhere even close to them, there would be a large chance of humans having webbed feet. But because of the long list of organisms, and the order in which they formed, it would be next to impossible for humans to have the characteristics of ducks.

In addition to that, humans don't need them. If humans had come to be in an environment in which they had swim constantly or stay afloat in water, there would also be a higher chance that we would have webbed feet, or even flippers or scales. For our cells would, over time, adjust to this environment. But again, the sequence in which we formed makes these things unnecessary and improbable. We don't need to swim in water to live, why would we need webbed feet?

Answer 2

They have webbed feet to help the duck push it's self around in the water. I have a mallard duck and a pond and I'm pretty sure that my answer is correct but I'm not an expert though so sorry if this is an incorrect answer

Answer 3

Ducks are aquatic birds; they spend a lot of time on lakes, swimming around and eating aquatic vegetation that grows underwater. Webbed feet can push more efficiently on water, and that helps them to swim.

Answer 4

Makes swimming easier.